What are you reading or what books have you read or heard about? (Part TWELVE) Ongoing general thread. Showing 1,151-1,200 of 2,793

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "A great surprise by mail came today/a book from my son, "A Gentleman in Moscow," by Amor Towles. It had been recommended by a friend whose opinion of books parallels mine usually and I had even tri..."

Enjoy the book, Nina! A Gentleman in Moscow My sister recently was on a tour which included Russia. I think that one of most colorful buildings in the world is St. Basil's Cathedral. Here are links to a pic of it:

https://www.goodreads.com/photo/group...

https://www.burgessyachts.com/media/a...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "I am still mesmorised by "Dr.Zivago." and it is one movie that I considered as good as the book."

I started reading Doctor Zhivago but didn't finish it. I enjoyed the film.

[Nina]

Wasn't the music in Dr Z wonderful?

[Nina]

I also still love "Meet Me in St. Louis," and maybe I like to listen to the song. Actually, so many movies I agree are in the silly category but I hardly can look at any of our new ones. Some exceptions but can't call them to mind right now.

[Nina]

I loved "Enchanted April."

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "Wasn't the music in Dr Z wonderful?"

Yes, Dr. Zhivago won the 1966 Academy Award and the Golden Globe Award for the Best Original Score.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059113/a...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

PS-Here's Lara's Theme from Dr. Zhivago at YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yd2P... [with scenes from the film]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcWJT...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "I loved "Enchanted April.""

Another good one, Nina.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "I also still love "Meet Me in St. Louis," and maybe I like to listen to the song. Actually, so many movies I agree are in the silly category but I hardly can look at any of our new ones. Some excep..."

Well, Judy Garland could really deliver a song. She gave it such feeling... with those big eyes of hers!

[Nina]

Yes, such talent and such a sad ending to her life.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "Yes, such talent and such a sad ending to her life."

Nina, there were multiple reasons for that sad ending to the life of Judy Garland. Among other reasons, there is the following which I found at Wiki:
=================================
"Garland stated that she, Rooney, and other young performers were constantly prescribed amphetamines to stay awake in order to keep up with the frantic pace of making one film after another, as well as barbiturates to take before going to bed so that they could sleep. This regular dose of drugs, she said, led to addiction and a lifelong struggle, and contributed to her eventual demise. She later resented the hectic schedule and felt that her youth had been stolen by MGM."
FROM: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Ga...
=======================================

[Nina]

I think Shirley Temple must have escaped some of this as she ended up OK after her first marriage. Isn't it terrible what some young actors were put through?

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "I think Shirley Temple must have escaped some of this as she ended up OK after her first marriage. Isn't it terrible what some young actors were put through?"

Good point, Nina. Shirley Temple wasn't negatively affected by being a child star in Hollywood. I've been meaning to read a biography about her but there are so many that it's hard to choose just one. Actually I'd rather listen to an audio-version but our public library doesn't seem to have any.

Here's an audible.com page which offers samples to listen to:
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_h...

[Nina]

Ouotes J like from the book, "Pooh's Little Instruction Book, "A.A. Milne.

"Sometimes a boat is a boat, and sometimes it's more of an Accident." It depends on whether you're on top of it or underneath it."

"To the undeducated the letter A is just three sticks."

"Rivers know this: There is no hurry. We will get there someday."

"A little Consideration, a little Thought for others, makes all the difference." This one is my favorite. nina

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Good quotes, Nina!

[Nina]

Joy, somehow the title, "Child Star," was listed under the name of Shirley Temple and when I ordered it there was nothing in it about her and it was mostly Porn. Terrible book that I just glanced through. Don't make the same mistake I made.

[Nina]

Thanks for the sample. Wasn't she a darling?

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "Joy, somehow the title, "Child Star," was listed under the name of Shirley Temple and when I ordered it there was nothing in it about her and it was mostly Porn. Terrible book that I just glanced t..."

That's too bad, Nina. The authors should put the name of the star in the title so we can find the books more easily during a search. Where are the editors who should know this!

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "Thanks for the sample. Wasn't she a darling?"

Yes, Shirley was a special child, one of a kind! She must have been very intelligent too, to remember all the steps to the dances she did.

[Nina]

Just ordered from Amazon/1.99 on my Kindle, "My Mother was Nuts," a memoir by Penny Marshall. Joy, were you too young to watch "Happy Days," or "Laverne and Shirley?" This sounded very interesting so let you know if it is.

[Jim]

Right now I'm reading Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War & An Edible History of Humanity. Both excellent & interesting.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "Just ordered from Amazon/1.99 on my Kindle, "My Mother was Nuts," a memoir by Penny Marshall. Joy, were you too young to watch "Happy Days," or "Laverne and Shirley?" This sounded very interesting ..."

Nina, I listened to My Mother Was Nuts via a CD from our library. It was very entertaining and informative as well. I remember being impressed by Marshall's biography but I never had time to write a review at the time. I suppose I should at least make note of it now. PS-I did. Here's a link to my short review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

BTW, I do remember those shows you mentioned ("Happy Days," & "Laverne and Shirley)". I'm old enough. :)

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim wrote: "Right now I'm reading Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War & An Edible History of Humanity. Both excellent & interesting."

Thanks, Jim!

[Joy H., Group Founder]

PS-Jim - I was able to order a CD of Grunt from our library. Thanks for telling us about it. I look forward to listening to it.
Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War

[Nina]

I read your review/gave me an inkling of what to expect. Thanks for posting.

[Nina]

I probably won't take the time to read that Science book but I have to agree it sounds interesting and containing a multitude of facts. My poor uncle suffered from being gassed and shellshock at age eighteen in WW 1 and I wonder if she has anything to say about how to avoid those terrible twos. If she does let me know as I'd be interested. At present I am reading again the data pertaining to my two great grandfather's who fought in the Union Armies and their trails. Terrible.

[Jim]

I watched "Happy Days", but only caught a bit of "Laverne & Shirley".

I think you'll like "Grunt", Joy. Mary Roach is a hoot. In her introduction, she says this book isn't about the typical military stuff. She doesn't shine a spotlight, but is a 'goober with a flashlight' looking around in all the odd nooks & crannies. For instance, she starts her introduction discussing the chicken gun. Yes, it shoots chickens to test how well aircraft & other things stand up to bird strikes. No gory details, just a slightly humorous discussion of bird sizes, densities, & how the tests protect the pilots.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim, I have listened to 3 of Mary Roach's books and enjoyed them. So I'm looking forward to the next one.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Joy H. wrote: "Jim, I have listened to 3 of Mary Roach's books and enjoyed them. So I'm looking forward to the next one."

Here's my shelf showing my books by Mary Roach:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

PS-Jim, you are the person who originally told me about Mary Roach's books. So thank you for that.

[Jim]

You've read 3 of her best, Joy. So far, Grunt is right up there with Stiff, Bonk, & Gulp. Glad you've enjoyed them.

[Jim]

I just finished An Edible History of Humanity & gave it a 5 star review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I highly recommend it to one & all.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim wrote: "I just finished An Edible History of Humanity & gave it a 5 star review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I highly recommend it to one & all."

Thanks, Jim. Five stars from you is a big recommendation!

[Jim]

While there are far too many great books I haven't read, some need a reread. It's been far too long since I've read the original Mary Poppins in full. It's still a lot of fun & it's nice to get the story straight again after the Disney movie & all the years. I gave it a 4 star review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Thanks, Jim! Interesting review.

[Nina]

Jim, did you see the movie, I think the title might have been, "Travers" but not sure. The theme was Disney meeting the author of Mary Poppins and the very much disagreements of how he was to portray the father in that movie; Mary Poppins. It also showed the author's early life and her own relationship with her father. I am not surprised the book Mary Poppins was a bit different than the movie.

[Jim]

No, I didn't see that, Nina. The kids liked the movie & I liked it when I was young, so I don't really care. Disney, along with every other movie studio, change things a lot. Different media, attention spans & such. They've certainly butchered some favorites of mine, too.

[Nina]

As a young child I loved the book "Bambi," and also later on still liked the movie and "Cinderella was changed a bit from the original but still my kids loved it too. The original "Snow White's" name was Snowdrop.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "Jim, did you see the movie, I think the title might have been, "Travers" but not sure. The theme was Disney meeting the author of Mary Poppins and the very much disagreements of how he was to portr..."

Nina, perhaps you're thinking of:
"Saving Mr. Banks" (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2140373/?...
"Author P.L. Travers reflects on her childhood after reluctantly meeting with Walt Disney, who seeks to adapt her Mary Poppins books for the big screen. "
Stars: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks

[Nina]

Yes, That's the right title. I couldn't think of it. Did you see it Joy?

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "Yes, That's the right title. I couldn't think of it. Did you see it Joy?"

Yes, Nina. I saw it and enjoyed it. It was interesting. I enjoy anything with Tom Hanks in it.

[Nina]

Doesn't Tom Hanks seem like the typical all American? He does to me.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "Doesn't Tom Hanks seem like the typical all American? He does to me."

Yes, thank goodness for people like him.

[Jim]

Neither Snow nor Rain: A History of the United States Postal Service was fantastic. It's an incredibly complex & needed service that is constantly fighting to stay afloat. Why? This book answers that & more. Highly recommended! I gave it a 5 star review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Life in Our Universe didn't work for me at all. I finally quit after the 4th lecture. My review is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim wrote: "Neither Snow nor Rain: A History of the United States Postal Service was fantastic. It's an incredibly complex & needed service that is constantly fighting to stay afloat. Why? This..."

Thank you, Jim. I appreciate your posts and reviews.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Today I gave up on the following book: The Christmas Train by David Baldacci .

See my review at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
(At first I wrote a hurried short review but today I decided to add to it because I just couldn't let it go without explaining why I gave up on it.)

I am finding that it helps (when I am writing my own review) to read other Goodreads reviews to find members who "say it better than I can". I'm always surprised to find so many readers willing to spend time writing long reviews. I guess they are fairly fluent as writers and have strong reactions to what they read. Thank goodness for them or I'd never create a satisfactory review. Their contributions help me immensely.

[Jim]

I appreciate the comments on my reviews, Joy. I added one more about aliens. Something else Dyer asks, although she doesn't delve into it, is "just what is life?"

For instance, there's an argument over whether viruses are alive or not. Some are so simple they don't even have a protein shell. Some scientists place them in the domain they infect, others want to class them by themselves. Our first aliens might bring up the same questions.

I find it rather fascinating because of the new research & the disagreement among scientists about the formation of life. This article discusses the division simply.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetec...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim wrote: "... I find it rather fascinating because of the new research & the disagreement among scientists about the formation of life. This article discusses the division simply.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetec... "

Thanks for the link, Jim. The formation of life is always interesting! I shall apply my brain to it.

[Nina]

Really liked the review, Jim. I did leave a comment.

[Nina]

I am referring to the Post Office book review.